Wheel-fender.



' PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

W. H. LAKE. WHEEL FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED 001..12, 1905.

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PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

W. HQ LAKE.

WHEEL FENDER.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 12, 1906.

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WILLIAM HENRY LAKE, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

WHEEL-FENDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21, 19060 Application filed October 12,1905. Serial No. 282,475.

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY LAKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Memphis, in the county of Shelby and State of Tennessee, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in WVheel-Fenders and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an improved Wheel-fender or safety-guard adapted for attachment to electric, steam, and other cars and vehicles and possessing advantages in point of simplicity and durability of construction and efficiency in operation.

The nature of the invention will be readily comprehended, reference being had to the following detailed description and to the ac companying drawings, in which the wheelfender is illustrated in its preferred form of embodiment, it being understood that various modifications may be made therein without exceeding the scope of the concluding claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front eleva tion of a wheel-fender embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view in section of one of the fender members.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the frame of a vehicle-for example, an electric car-to the front end of which are secured upper and lower curved straps 2 3, and connected to said straps are vertically-disposed bars 4, constituting the upper part of the fender. The lower strap 3 extends vertically beyond the strap 2, whereby the bars are given a forward inclination, as shown.

Secured to the frame at the sides of the car are depending fender-boards 5, to which is secured a strap 6, separated from the strap 3 sufliciently to accommodate the draw-head. The strap 6 is curvedintermediately of its straight end portions to conform to the curvature of the strap 3.

Fastened at their upper ends to the strap 6 are depending tubular bars 7, which are disposed at proper intervals and extend from wheel to wheel. The bars connected to the curved portion of the strap 6 have a forward inclination corresponding to that of the bars 4, the side bars inclining toward the supporting-rails. The bars 7 are connected toward their lower ends by a strap 8, having 1nclined extensions 9, secured to the boards 5 and forming braces to resist thrust.

Slidably mounted in each tubular bar 7 is a stem 10, carrying at its lower end a head 11, the latter being recessed and rotatably confining an immovable pendulum 12, mounte on a pin 13. The immovable pendulums project at the peripheries below the heads, and in the lowermost position of the heads and stems said immovable pendulums extend to a plane sufficiently above the surface of the track to avoid crossing rails and other existing obstructions. The heads are connected together and braced by links 14, the end links being in lapped relation to the wheels. The lowermost position of a pendulum is determined by the engagement of a pin 16 on the stem with the lower end of a slot 17 in the bar 7, and said pendulum, together with the head and stem, are raised against the action of a spring 18, coiled around the stem and interposed between the inner end of the stem-recess and the head.

In practice the pendulums will independently ride over small foreign obstructions of a predetermined size and will return to normal position after 'the obstruction is passed by reason of the action of the springs aided by the weight of the pendulums, heads, and stems. When a relatively large body is encountered, the fender members cooperate a pilot action to sweep aside such body, and thus liability to material injury to pedestrians and animals is effectually prevented. The pendulums readily ride over existing obstructions in the event of overloading or bouncing or rocking of the vehicle.

It will be understood that in cars designed for travel in both directions a fender such as above described will be attached to each end of the vehicle.

I claim as my invention- 1. A wheel-fender comprising a series of fender elements closely adjacent to each other and each consisting of a plurality of telescoping members, and devices, flexibly connecting the lower of said members, permitting independent vertical movements of the latter.

2. A wheel-fender comprising a series of fender elements closely adjacent to each other and each consisting of a plurality of telescoping members, devices, flexibly connecting the lower of said members, permitting independent vertical movements of the latter, and roflexibly connecting said stems, permitting intatable devices carried by the lower memdependent vertical movements of the latter. I

bers. I In testimony whereof I affix my signature 3. A wheel-fender comprising a plurality of in presence of two witnesses. 5 closely-adjacent braced tubular bars, stems WILLIAM HENRY LAKE.

vertically movable in said bars, springs to de- Witnesses: press said stems, heads carried by said stems, D. HEBER- JOHNSTON,

rollers carried by said heads, and devices, K. D. MOKELLAR. 

